PUPR Minister Targets Trans Java Toll Road to be Completed in 2018

SEMARANG, presidentpost.com – PUPR (Public Works and Public Housing) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono has said that the development of Trans Java toll road has almost completed, except for the Salatiga-Solo section.

“Regarding the Trans Java toll road, it is obviously under construction. In fact, it is almost finished, except for the Salatiga-Solo section,” he said after delivering a public lecture at the Sultan Agung Islamic University (Unissula), Semarang, on Thursday (9/14).

PUPR Minister Basuki is optimistic that the 661-kilometer Trans Java toll road will be fully connected by 2018, so the access of Jakarta-Semarang-Surabaya will be running smoothly.

“The (section) of Salatiga-Solo is still in the process. Some others are in the finishing touches. I’m confident that the Trans Java will be fully functional in 2018, God willing,” he added.

Meanwhile the Trans Sumatra toll road, according to the PUPR minister, has been started on three points namely the south from Bakauheni to Palembang, targeted for completion in 2018-2019. The next is the middle starting from Pekanbaru which has begun the process and the north is a 40-km Medan-Kualanamu section which will be inaugurated soon.

“However, when the president asked whether it could be completed in 2019, I did not dare to answer yes because Aceh has not started yet. If Aceh would has begun in 2018, I will say yes,” said Minister Basuki.

He said that the challenge in infrastructure development, including the toll roads, is the vastness of Indonesia’s territory. Nevertheless, it must be realized to enhance the competitiveness through the connectivity.

“To improve the competitiveness, the key is connectivity. Hence, the challenge must be faced, don’t take it as a problem,” he said.

Moreover, Minister Basuki added, the society’s expectation of infrastructure development is now higher, so the PUPR Ministry responds it with accelerating the projects.

“For example, recently people waited on the construction of emergency road in Semarang. We closed at 12 pm, but they (the community) waited until six o’clock in the morning to pass through,” he said.

That means, according to Minister Basuki, the PUPR Ministry will continue to encourage the acceleration of the infrastructure projects including the Trans Java and Trans Sumatra toll roads. (JPP/TPP)

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